Panthers quarterback Cam Newton to host Nickelodeon TV show next year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Cam Newton will be hosting a television show on Nickelodeon next year, the network has announced.

The network said Wednesday that the Carolina Panthers quarterback will host a show called “I Wanna Be” that will feature Newton taking children to help their dreams come true. There will be 20 episodes in all.

Newton will film the show during the off-season. The Pro Bowler will also serve as executive producer of the television series.

The quarterback said he wants to create positive messages to inspire the next generation.

“It’s really unbelievable,” Newton said during his weekly news conference before Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. “You know I’m a kid at heart, we all know that — but yet, I think nowadays days, so much is really said about reality TV. After knowing so many people that are actually there, I didn’t necessarily want to go that route.”

Newton said his love of kids is what drove him to expand his horizons.

“I love giving back and just seeing their faces and the energy they give off, which is reciprocated because I’m enjoying that as well,” Newton said.

The network’s release said Newton will step into the lives of different children and taken them on a journey that will push them closer to fulfilling their dreams.

“It’s coming off the notion of everybody sees the superhero in how I play,” Newton said. “I’ve gotten the nickname Superman, SuperCam ever since I can remember.

“And now I’m showing that, to kids, you don’t necessarily have to be a football player, you don’t have to be a basketball player — but everybody has a superpower in them. Your superpower may be drawing, your superpower may be being a teacher, your superpower may be even being a scientist or a doctor.”

Newton said he is anxious for what he expects to be a “wild ride.”

“Meeting new kids and trying to make them maximize their superpower is pretty cool,” Newton said.

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AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina contributed to this report.